Parliament urged to expedite enactment of Gold Processing Bill

Western Kenya leaders have called on the National Assembly to prioritize the Gold Processing Bill, 2021 to streamline operations in the mining sector.

Led by Kakamega County Governor Dr Wycliffe Oparanya, the leaders say the government is currently losing million as a result of delays in enacting the bill.

Speaking during the public participation meeting organized by Lake Region Economic Bloc and the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Oparanya said the bill sponsored by Ikolomani Member of Parliament Benard Shinali is key to streamlining operations of the mining sector for the benefit of the prospectors and the country at large.

The Bill proposes the establishment of the Gold Processing Corporation that will have full mandate of managing and regulating the gold mining sector.

The governor noted with regret that despite mining being the National Government function there was no order in the sector.

He added that as a result brokers and barons had infiltrated the sector and are exploiting unsuspecting gold prospectors.

Dr Oparanya noted that the country lost millions of shillings through uncollected revenue because of the disorder in the sector.

He said that is why a legal framework that will streamline operations of the sector for the benefit citizens and the State is required to be adopted.

“We benchmarked in Tanzania on how to effectively manage the mining sector and we realized that they were doing very well because they have proper structures in place,” said Dr Oparanya.

He thanked Hon Shinali for coming up with the draft Bill and the County Attorney’s office led by Attorney Vivian Mmbaka for their input when the document was presented to them.

He noted that LREB and Kakamega County in particular had a lot of interest on the bill because the region is rich in gold and could cushion miners from exploitation.

He noted that a Gold Refinery Plant was being set up in Ikolomani Sub County, which is the first of it’s kind in the country.

The governor added that the legal framework will protect the investor and enable him speed up construction if the Plant.

Shinali and Nzegu urged the National Assembly members to support the bill which they said was good for the prosperity of the sector and the country.

Shinali said the input from stakeholders during the meeting will be included in the final draft.

“The Bill will regulate the sector, set standards and deal with fat cats who have made the sector a black market,” said Ong’era.